Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Relatives of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh have begun
leaving the Yemeni military.

Officials said that after weeks of defiance, Saleh relatives have begun
obeying dismissal orders by President Abbed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

The officials cited the resignation of the nephew of Saleh, Brig. Gen. Tareq Mohammed Abdullah, who agreed to resign as commander of the Republican Guard’s 3rd Brigade.

“It is time for ending Army division, reconstructing the Army and
kicking off a comprehensive national dialogue which will lead to a new
constitution and an election in 2014.” United Nations special envoy to
Yemen, Jamal Bin Omar, said.

It was not certain whether Bin Omar’s statement on May 3 meant that
Abdullah would not try to reclaim his post. The UN envoy as well as other international representatives have made repeated claims of the willingness of Saleh supporters to relinquish power.

“I just attended the handover ceremony between Gen. Tareq and the new 3rd Brigade commander,” Bin Omar said.

Hadi has retained several Saleh loyalists including the former
president’s son, Ahmed, who remains commander of the Republican Guard. Saleh’s nephew, Mohammed, was allowed to continue as commander of the
Central Security Forces.

“I am convinced that President Hadi will lead Yemen to stability,” Bin
Omar, who left Yemen on May 5, said. “There is a great progress in the
political process, thanks to the Yemenis’ help. There are also many
political and economical challenges, and Yemen needs aid from friends of
Yemen.”

On April 6, Hadi announced the resignation of a handful of Saleh
supporters, including Abdullah, meant to be replaced by Abdul Rahman Al
Halili. Instead, several of the Saleh relatives refused the order and
Saleh’s half brother, air force commander Gen. Mohammed Saleh Al Ahmar, laid
siege to Sanaa International Airport.

After several weeks of a standoff, Al Ahmar said on April 24 that he
would leave his post. The general, replaced by former Maarib Gov. Najeb Al
Zayedi, was transferred to deputy defense minister.

“I shall not tolerate a continued division in the army, and shall not
allow any attempt to take the army away from its main duties,” Hadi said on
May 5. “There is only one command for the army and one command for security
forces.”

  3rd Brigade, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Brig. Gen. Tareq Mohammed Abdullah, Central Security Forces, Ex-Yemeni president’s relatives finally leaving military posts, President Abbed Rabbo Mansour Hadi